Methods and apparatus for facilitating the germination of seeds and growth of seedlings

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for facilitating the germination of seeds and growth of seedlings. One aspect of the invention provides a seed kit. The seed kit may comprise a biodegradable germination cup having a base having one or more apertures, a one-piece biodegradable germination pad capable of retaining water and sized to be received in the base of the germination cup without falling through the one or more apertures, and a biodegradable seedling cup sized to receive the germination cup. The seed kit may further comprise other components, such as a growth medium, a seed, a lid/base, a stirring stick, etc. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods wherein a seed is germinated and nurtured to a seedling by using a germination pad, a germination cup, and a seedling cup.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/008,803 filed 18 Jan. 2011 which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the growth of trees and other plants.Particular embodiments provide methods and apparatus for facilitatingthe germination of seeds and growth of seedlings.

BACKGROUND

Recent years have seen an increase in public awareness and concern overenvironmental issues, particularly the prospect of global warmingresulting from increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.One possible approach to combat global warming is to plant more treesand other plants, thereby providing a replenished means for carbondioxide absorption from the atmosphere. Planting trees and other plantsmay also contribute to the health of the environment by reducingpollution and soil erosion and replenishing wildlife habitat.

Growing trees or other plants from seed is not always a simple task.When seeds are planted directly into soil, cold or heat, herbivorousinsects, rodents, birds, etc, may prevent successful seed germinationand seedling growth. As a result, techniques have evolved to plant seedsin separate containers and then transplant germinated seeds or seedlingsinto soil when conditions become more favorable. To successfullygerminate seeds, nurture them to seedlings and then transplant theseedlings into soil often requires considerable skill and experience.

There is a general desire to provide techniques for facilitating thegermination of seeds and growth of seedlings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In drawings which show non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view a seed kit according to an exampleembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of some components (i.e., a seed, agermination pad, a germination cup and a base/lid) of the FIG. 1 seedkit which may be used for germinating a seed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the steps involved in using some components (i.e.,a seedling cup, a peat pellet) of the FIG. 1 seed kit to nurture agerminated seed into a seedling.

FIGS. 4A-4C show a method for using the components of a seed kit similarto the FIG. 1 seed kit to facilitate germination of a seed and growth ofa seedling according to a particular embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows the use of a stirring stick to break up or level wet peatpellet in a seedling cup of the FIG. 4 seed kit.

FIG. 5B shows the use of a stirring stick to move wet peat from aseedling cup to a germination cup of the FIG. 4 seed kit to therebycover a germinated seed on a germination pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. Inother instances, well known elements have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, ratherthan a restrictive, sense.

One aspect of the invention provides a seed kit for facilitating thegermination of seeds and growth of seedlings. The seed kit comprises: agermination cup shaped to define a germination cup concavity, thegermination cup concavity having an apertured base; and a one-piecegermination pad sized to be received in the germination cup concavityand to abut against the apertured base while occupying substantially anentirety of the surface area thereof, the germination pad capable ofabsorbing and retaining water and sufficiently rigid, when wetted withwater, to avoid falling through the apertured base. A seed may be placedin the germination cup and atop the wetted germinated pad, the wettedgermination pad providing the seed with moisture to promote germinationand wherein roots of the germinated seed extend downwardly, through thegermination pad and through the apertured base. The germination cup andthe germination pad may be fabricated from biodegradable materials.

Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for facilitatingthe germination of a seed and growth of a seedling. The apparatuscomprises: a germination cup shaped to define a germination cupconcavity, the germination cup concavity having an apertured base; aone-piece germination pad located in the germination cup concavity andabutting against the apertured base, the germination pad fabricated froma material capable of absorbing and retaining water and sufficientlyrigid, when wetted with water, to avoid the germination pad fallingthrough the apertured base. A seed is received in the germination cupatop the wetted germination pad, the wetted germination pad providingthe seed with moisture to promote germination and wherein roots of thegerminated seed extend downwardly, through the germination pad andthrough the apertured base. The germination cup and the germination padmay be fabricated from biodegradable materials.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for facilitating thegermination of a seed and growth of a seedling. The method involves:providing a germination cup shaped to define a germination cupconcavity, the germination cup concavity having an apertured base;placing a seed on a one-piece germination pad, the germination padabutting against the apertured base while occupying substantially anentirety of the surface area thereof; moistening the germination pad byintroducing water to the germination cup concavity, the water absorbedand retained by the germination pad, the germination pad sufficientlyrigid, when wetted with water, to avoid falling through the aperturedbase, the wetted germination pad providing the seed with moisture topromote germination; and permitting roots of the germinated seed extenddownwardly, through the germination pad and through the apertured base.

FIG. 1 shows a seed kit 110 according to an example embodiment of theinvention. Seed kit 110 comprises a seedling cup 112, a germination pad120, and an apertured germination cup 122. In the illustratedembodiment, seed kit 110 also comprises a number of optional componentsincluding a seed 116, a lid/base 118, a growth medium (such as peatpellet 114), a stirring stick 135, and an instruction sheet 121.

Seedling cup 112 defines a cup-shaped concavity 113 which may be used tohold other components of seed kit 110 when seed kit 110 is not in use,during transport or storage of seed kit 110 and/or when seed kit 110 isdisplayed for retail sale and/or the like. When seed kit 110 is used forgerminating seed 116 and growing a seedling, seedling cup 112 mayfunction as a container to hold germination cup 122 as well as thegrowth medium (e.g. peat 114) in concavity 113.

Seedling cup 112 may be fabricated from a biodegradable material and, insome embodiments, comprises a biodegradable material which will bestable for sufficiently long to permit seed 116 to grow into a seedlingbut which will decompose within weeks of being buried in the ground.Suitable biodegradable materials for fabricating seedling cup 112include, without limitation, paper, cotton, beeswax, straw, syntheticbiodegradable polymers, and/or the like. Seedling cup 112 may be printedwith a marketing message, business name, sponsor logo and/or the like.

Germination cup 122 may also be fabricated from a biodegradable materialwhich may be the same as or different from the material used tofabricate seedling cup 112. Germination cup 122 also defines acup-shaped concavity 125. Base 123 of germination cup 122 defines one ormore apertures 124 that penetrate therethrough. As explained in moredetail below, germination cup 122 functions to contain seed 116 duringgermination and to subsequently transport the germinated seedling intoseedling cup 112.

Germination pad 120 may also be biodegradable (e.g., paper- orcotton-based). Germination pad 120 may be a one-piece pad and is sizedto be received atop base 123 of germination cup 122 without fallingthrough aperture(s) 124. Germination pad 120 may be made of fibrous orporous material and allow roots to penetrate through it by winding theirway through the pores of the pad. Advantageously, however, germinationpad 120 may be provided without direct (e.g. straight) apertures whichwould easily permit peat or other growth medium to fall throughgermination pad 120. Germination pad 120 may be placed on base 123 ofgermination cup 122 and seed 116 may be placed atop germination pad 120.Germination pad 120 serves as a support for seed 116, preventing seed116 from falling through aperture(s) 124. Germination pad 120 alsoabsorbs and retains water to keep seed 116 moist during seedgermination. Germination pad 120 may provide a number of advantages,including: (i) it is of one-piece construction and thus is not messy andwill not fall through aperture 124; (ii) it is made of fibrous or porousmaterial and allows roots to grow right through it; and (iii) it iscapable of absorbing and retaining water without falling apart of thetime scale of germination (e.g. germination pad may be designed tobiodegrade or otherwise fall apart on a time scale greater than twicethe typical time required for germination of a particular seed). In aparticular embodiment, germination pad 120 comprises a compressed cottonpad which provides the above-listed advantages.

Optional lid/base 118 of seed kit 110 has a concave surface 119 thatdefines a primary concavity 127 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment,concave surface 119 also defines a smaller, secondary concavity 126within primary concavity 127. When the components of seed kit 110 arehoused within seed cup 112 (e.g. for transport, storage, display and/orthe like), lid/base 118 may be oriented with its concave surface 119facing toward seedling cup 112 (FIG. 1). Lid/base 118 may be sized suchthat its rim 131 is coupleable to a rim 133 of seedling cup 112. Thecoupling of lid/base rim 131 to seedling cup rim 133 may involvedeformation of one or both of lid/base 118 and seedling cup 112, suchthat restorative deformation forces associated with such deformation fora “snap together” coupling. Such a coupling allows lid/base 118 to besecured over the rim 133 of seedling cup 112 to house the othercomponents of seed kit 110 in seed cup 112.

As explained in more detail below, lid/base 118 may also be used as abase for germination cup 122 or seedling cup 112 when seed kit 110 isused for germinating a seed and growing a seedling. Primary andsecondary concavities, 127, 126 allow lid/base 118 to be used to measurewater to wet germination pad 120 and peat pellet 114 and to function asa water dish for seedling cup 112.

In the illustrated embodiment, germination pad 120, germination cup 122,seedling cup 112, and lid/base 118 are shown to have generally circularcross-sectional shapes and perimeters. This is not mandatory.Germination pad 120, germination cup 122, seedling cup 112, and lid/base118 may have other cross-sectional shapes or perimeters, such as, forexample, oval, square, rectangle, polygon, etc.

Seed kit 110 may optionally include a peat pellet 114 made of compressedpeat or some other suitable growth medium. When water is added to peatpellet 114, peat pellet 114 absorbs water and tends to inflate or expandits volume to provide a growth medium for the germinated seed andseedling. Peat represents one suitable growth medium. In otherembodiments, however, seed kit 110 may include other suitable growthmedia. The growth media may optionally comprise a fertilizer (e.g.,liquid or powder fertilizer) or such fertilizer may optionally be addedto the growth media. However, the addition of a fertilizer to the growthmedia is not strictly necessary because seed 116 typically contains thenutrients required for germinating and growing into a seedling. In someembodiments, seed kits may be provided without a growth medium and auser may obtain suitable growth media from a different source.

Seed kit 110 may optionally include one or more seeds 116. In someembodiments, seed 116 may be a seed of a tree (e.g., a perennial woodyplant) or other plants. In general, however, seed kit 110 can be used togerminate a seed of any species and variety under suitable germinatingconditions. Germination conditions for successful germination of seed116 may include: the viability of seed 116; overcoming any dormancyissues that may prevent germination of seed 116; and the existence ofproper environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.). Inother embodiments, seed kits may be provided without seeds 116 and auser may obtain suitable seeds 116 from a different source.

Seed kit 110 may optionally include a stirring stick 135 which may beused to break up or level peat or to transfer a quantity of peat fromseedling cup 112 to germination pad 120 to cover a germinated seed 116.Stirring stick 135 may be biodegradable. Seed kit 110 may alsooptionally include an instruction sheet 121, which provides instructionson how to use seed kit 110. Instruction sheet 121 may contain asponsor's or advertiser's message. The message may be placed on the sideopposite the instructions. Instruction sheet 121 may be made fromrecycled and/or biodegradable paper. If no instruction sheet is providedwith seed kit 110, the user may obtain instructions on how to use seedkit 110 from a website (e.g., the website of the manufacturer of seedkit 110 or a sponsor).

Additional features of seed kit 110 will become evident with theexplanation of the use of seed kit 110 to facilitate germination ofseeds and growth of seedlings which is explained in more detail below.

Using seed kit 110 commences with placing germination pad 120 withingermination cup 122 and against base 123 (FIG. 2). Water is added tomoisten germination pad 120. Conveniently, lid/base 118 may be sizedsuch that its secondary concavity 126 holds a desired amount (i.e.,volume) of water for moistening germination pad 120. In other words, theuser may fill secondary concavity 126 of lid/base 118 with water and usethis amount of water to moisten germination pad 120. In someembodiments, the volume of secondary concavity 126 may be sized to holda desired amount of water for repeated application to germination pad120 (e.g. on a periodic basis) to maintain a desired moisture level ofgermination pad 120. For example, secondary concavity 126 may be sizedto hold a desired daily amount of water for moistening germination pad120 and maintaining the desired moisture level of germination pad 120.

Seed 116 may be placed in germination cup 122 atop moistened germinationpad 120. The combination of germination cup 122, germination pad 120 andseed 116 may then be placed on lid/base 118 with concave surface 119 oflid/base 118 oriented upwardly to face the bottom of germination cup 122(FIGS. 2 and 4A). In some embodiments, secondary concavity 126 oflid/base 118 may be sized and shaped to snugly receive base 123 ofgermination cup 122 to fix the location of germination cup 122 relativeto lid/base 118. In the illustrated embodiment, secondary concavity iscircularly shaped and its perimeter is sized to receive base 123 ofgermination cup 122, as shown best in FIG. 2. Water (e.g., an amountequal to the volume of secondary concavity 126 of lid/base 118) may beperiodically (e.g., every 24 hours) added to germination cup 122 to keepgermination pad 120 moist

Seed 116 may optionally be stratified on moistened germination pad 120within germination cup 122. Stratification is the process of treatingseed 116, to simulate the winter conditions or dormancy period, seed 116might experience before germinating. Most commercially available seedshave already been stratified; therefore, a stratification step may notbe strictly necessary. However, a stratification step may be performedto provide an educational experience for the user. In some embodiments,a stratification procedure may involve exposing seed 116, moistenedgermination pad 120, and germination cup 122 to a temperature of between0° C. and 6° C. (e.g., in a household or commercial refrigerator) for aperiod of time ranging from 24 hours to 3 months. Stratificationtemperatures and times may vary depending on the species and variety ofseed 116. If stratification is performed for illustrative purposes only,placing seed 116, moistened germination pad 120, and germination cup 122in a refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours will typically be sufficient.

After optional stratification, seed 116, moistened germination pad 120,and germination cup 122 are placed in an environment having suitabletemperature, humidity, light and other conditions that are conducive togermination of seed 116. Desirable temperature, humidity and lightconditions may depend on the species and variety of seed 116. Seed 116may be placed in this environment until seed 116 has germinated (i.e.,the seed coat has broken). Water (e.g., an amount equal to the volume ofsecondary concavity 126 of lid/base 118) may be periodically added togermination cup 122 to keep germination pad 120 moist. Use ofgermination pad 120 allows the user to observe the germination of seed116 and confirm that seed 116 has germinated—i.e. since seed 116 restsatop germination pad 120. Additionally, the user gains an educationalexperience by observing the germination of seed 116.

Once it has been observed that the coat of seed 116 has broken (i.e.,seed 116 begins to germinate) atop moistened germination pad 120, seed116, germination pad 120 and germination cup 122 are transferred toseedling cup 112, so that germinated seed 116 may continue to grow intoa seedling in peat 114 or other suitable growth medium. Before puttinggermination cup 122 into seedling cup 112, peat pellet 114 is placed inseedling cup 112 (e.g., in a lower portion of seedling cup concavity113) and water is added as shown in FIG. 3A. The addition of watercauses peat pellet 114 to expand inside seedling cup 112 to form wettedpeat 114 as shown in FIG. 3B. Advantageously, lid/base 118 may be sized,such that its primary concavity 127 holds a desired amount (i.e. volume)of water for wetting peat pellet 114. In other words, a user may fillprimary concavity 127 of lid/base 118 with water and use this amount ofwater to wet peat pellet 114. In some embodiments, the volume of primaryconcavity 127 and/or secondary concavity 126 may be sized hold a desiredamount of water for repeated application to peat 114 (e.g. on a periodicbasis) to maintain a desired moisture level of peat 114. For example,primary concavity 127 or secondary concavity 126 may be sized to hold adesired daily amount of water for moistening peat 114 and maintainingthe desired moisture level in wetted peat 114. In some embodiments, thevolume of water (Vd) desirable to moisten peat pellet 114 on a periodicbasis is equal to an integer (n) multiple of the volume (Vp) of primaryconcavity 127 or the volume (Vs) of secondary concavity 126. This can beexpressed mathematically as Vd=nVp or Vd=nVs, where n may be anypositive integer, but is preferably in the range of 1 to 20. If desired,stirring stick 135 or other suitable tool may be used to loosen peatpellet 114, to stir water into peat 114, and/or to level wetted peat 114as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

Once water has been added to peat 114, the combination of germinationcup 122, germination pad 120 and germinated seed 116 may be placed atopwetted peat 114 in seedling cup 112. This is illustrated in FIGS. 3B and4B. If desired, an amount of wetted peat 114 may be removed fromseedling cup 112 and placed on top of germinated seed 116 on germinationpad 120 in germination cup 122, for example, by using stirring stick 135or other suitable implement (FIG. 5B). Seedling cup 112 may then beplaced on lid/base 118 with the concave surface 119 (i.e. primaryconcavity 127) of lid/base 118 oriented upwardly to face seedling cup112 (FIG. 3B). In some embodiments, secondary concavity 126 of lid/base118 may be sized to snugly receive base 129 of seedling cup 112 to fixthe location of seedling cup 112 relative to lid/base 118.Advantageously, using lid/base 118 as a support of seedling cup 112 mayincrease the stability of seedling cup 112, and/or contain the mess thatresults from growth medium or water leaking out from seedling cup 112.

Germinated seed 116 will then grow into a seedling 137 as shown in FIG.4C. The roots 139 of seedling 137 may penetrate germination pad 120.Germination pad 120 may be made of a fibrous or porous material (e.g.,cotton) such that when wet with water it will soften to a point whereroots 139 will penetrate through it (e.g. winding their way through thepores of germination pad 120). The roots 139 of seedling 137 may projectthrough aperture 124 in germination cup 122 and into wetted peat 114 inseedling cup 112. The stem 141 and leaves of seedling 137 may projectupwardly from germination cup 122. Water may be added to seedling cup112 regularly to ensure that peat 114 remains moist. As discussed above,primary concavity 127 and/or secondary concavity 126 may be sized toaccommodate this volume of water.

Seedling 137 may be placed in desirable light, temperature and humidityconditions where it may be permitted to continue to grow with roots 139penetrating through aperture 139 and into peat 114 contained in seedlingcup 112.

It will be appreciated that the nature of the light, humidity andtemperature conditions may differ for different species of seedlings137. When seedling 137 has developed a firm stem 141, healthy roots 139and healthy leaves, seedling 137 may be ready to be planted in soil. Toplant seedling 137 in soil, a small hole may be dug in the locationwhere it is desired for seedling 137 to grow into a tree. The holeshould be deep and wide enough to be able to receive seedling cup 112.Then, the entirety of seedling cup 112 and its contents (peat, 114,germination cup 122, germination pad 120 and seedling 137) may beinserted directly into the dug-out hole. Since seedling cup 112,germination cup 122 and germination pad 120 are biodegradable, they maybe placed directly into the soil without removing seedling 137 fromseedling cup 112. For most species, the time scale of germination andgrowth into a seedling is typically in the range of 1 to 8 weeks.Germination cup 122 and seedling cup 112 may be made of a material thatwill remain structurally intact for up to 8 weeks when wet or in contactwith water, and will break down within 6 weeks when placed in soil. Insome embodiments, germination cup 122 and seedling cup 112 are made ofsugar cane bagasse or other suitable fibers. In some embodiments, thematerials from which seedling cup 112, germination cup 122 andgermination pad 120 are fabricated permit seedling cup 112, germinationcup 122 and germination pad 120 to remain structurally intact when wetor in contact with water over a time period (e.g., T) typical forgrowing a seed into a viable seedling, but permit seedling cup 112,germination cup 122 and germination pad 120 to structurally break down(e.g. biodegrade) over a time period that is greater than or equal to1/2T, but less than 2T. T may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 weeks. Insome embodiments, the time period for the breakdown (e.g.biodegradation) of seedling cup 112, germination cup 122 and germinationpad 120 may be greater than or equal to T, but less than 5T. In someembodiments, this time period is greater than 5T but less than 20T. Insome embodiments, this time period is less than 30T.

In some embodiments, seedling 137, germination cup 122 and germinationpad 120 may be gently removed as one unit from seedling cup 112 and peat114 and may then be transplanted into soil without seedling cup 112(FIG. 4C).

When seedling 137 is transplanted into soil, it may still be desirableto fertilize seedling 137 and to provide water to seedling 137. Seedling137 will then mature into a healthy tree or other plant.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of theforegoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible inthe practice of this invention without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. By way of non-limiting example:

-   -   The biodegradable materials used to fabricate germination cup        122, seedling cup 112 and/or germination pad 120 could be        impregnated with fertilizing compounds which may be released        when germination cup 122, seedling cup 112 and/or germination        pad 120 degrade in soil, thereby proving further nutrients to a        viable seedling.        Accordingly, the invention as set out in the following claims        and any claims hereafter introduced should be understood and        interpreted to include all such alterations, modifications,        permutations, additions and sub-combinations within the scope of        the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seed kit for facilitating germination of a seedand growth of a seedling, the seed kit comprising: a germination cupshaped to define a germination cup concavity, the germination cupconcavity having an apertured base and an upper opening defined by agermination cup rim which also defines a boundary between thegermination cup concavity and an environment external to the germinationcup concavity, the germination cup rim having a perimeter larger than aperimeter of the apertured base; a one-piece germination pad sized to bereceived in the germination cup concavity and to abut against theapertured base while occupying substantially an entirety of the surfacearea thereof and sized, such that when received in the germination cupconcavity and abutting against the apertured base, an upper surface ofthe germination pad is spaced apart from the germination cup rim toprovide a substantially empty region within the germination cupconcavity that is atop the germination pad and below the germination cuprim, the germination pad capable of absorbing and retaining water andbeing sufficiently rigid, when wetted with water, to avoid fallingthrough the apertured base; wherein a seed is locatable atop the uppersurface of the wetted germinated pad and in the substantially emptyregion within the germination cup concavity, the wetted germination padproviding the seed with moisture to promote germination and whereinroots of the germinated seed extend downwardly, through the germinationpad and through the apertured base; wherein the germination cup and thegermination pad are fabricated from biodegradable materials.
 2. A seedkit according to claim 1 comprising: a seedling cup shaped to define aseedling cup concavity; the seedling cup concavity sized to accommodatethe entire germination cup and the entire germination pad, prior to useof the seed kit for facilitating the germination of the seed and growthof the seedling; the seedling cup concavity sized to accommodatemoistened growth medium in a lower portion thereof and to accommodatethe germination cup containing the germination pad and seed directlyatop the growth medium; wherein the roots of the germinated seed extenddownwardly, through the germination pad, through the apertured base andinto the moistened growth medium and wherein the moistened growth mediumis capable of sustaining the growth of the germinated seed into a viableseedling.
 3. A seed kit according to claim 2 wherein the seedling cup isfabricated from biodegradable materials so that the entirety of theseedling cup, the growth medium, the germination cup, the germinationpad and the viable seedling may be planted into soil and wherein theviable seedling can grow into a mature plant while the seedling cup,germination cup and germination pad break down in the soil.
 4. A seedkit according to claim 3 wherein the materials from which thegermination pad, germination cup and seedling cup are fabricated permitthe germination pad, germination cup and seedling cup remainstructurally intact when wet or in contact with water over a time periodtypical for growing a seed into a viable seedling, but permit thegermination pad, germination cup and seedling cup to structurally breakdown in soil over a duration of time greater than or equal to half thistime period, but less than two times this time period.
 5. A seed kitaccording to claim 2 comprising a lid which is coupleable to a rim ofthe seedling cup to form, together with the seedling cup concavity, anenclosure for holding the entire germination cup and the entiregermination pad prior to use of the seed kit for facilitating thegermination of the seed and growth of the seedling.
 6. A seed kitaccording to claim 5 wherein the lid is also operative as a base andcomprises a base surface which defines a primary concavity and asmaller, secondary concavity within the primary concavity and wherein aperimeter of the secondary concavity is sized to snugly receive the baseof the germination cup.
 7. A seed kit according to claim 6 wherein theperimeter of the secondary concavity is sized to snugly receive a baseof the seedling cup.
 8. A seed kit according to claim 5 wherein the lidcomprises a primary concavity and a smaller, secondary concavity withinthe primary concavity and wherein the secondary concavity has a volumegenerally equal to a volume of water desirable to moisten thegermination pad on a periodic basis.
 9. A seed kit according to claim 5the lid comprises a primary concavity and a smaller, secondary concavitywithin the primary concavity and wherein the kit comprises a driedmedium pellet which, when moistened, provides the moistened growthmedium and wherein a volume of water desirable to moisten the driedmedium pellet on a periodic basis and to thereby provide the moistenedgrowth medium is generally equal to an integer multiple of a volume ofthe primary concavity.
 10. A seed kit according to claim 1 wherein theapertured base is shaped to define a single aperture in a center thereofand wherein roots of the germinated seed extend downwardly, through thegermination pad and through the single aperture.
 11. A seed kitaccording to claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the germination cup rim issufficiently large to permit observation of an entirety of thesubstantially empty region.
 12. An apparatus for facilitatinggermination of a seed and growth of a seedling comprising: a germinationcup shaped to define a germination cup concavity, the germination cupconcavity having an apertured base and an upper opening defined by agermination cup rim which also defines a boundary between thegermination cup concavity and an environment external to the germinationcup concavity, the germination cup rim having a perimeter larger than aperimeter of the apertured base; a one-piece germination pad located inthe germination cup concavity and abutting against the apertured basewhile occupying substantially an entirety of the surface area thereofand sized such that an upper surface of the germination pad is spacedapart from the germination cup rim to provide a substantially emptyregion within the germination cup concavity that is atop the germinationpad and below the germination cup rim, the germination pad fabricatedfrom a material capable of absorbing and retaining water and beingsufficiently rigid, when wetted with water, to avoid the germination padfalling through the apertured base; wherein a seed is received in thegermination cup atop the upper surface of the wetted germinated pad andin the substantially empty region within the germination cup concavity,the wetted germination pad providing the seed with moisture to promotegermination and wherein roots of the germinated seed extend downwardly,through the germination pad and through the apertured base; wherein thegermination cup and the germination pad are fabricated frombiodegradable materials.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12comprising: a seedling cup shaped to define a seedling cup concavity,the seedling cup concavity containing: a moistened growth medium in alower portion thereof; and the germination cup containing thegermination pad and seed directly atop the growth medium; wherein theroots of the germinated seed extend downwardly, through the germinationpad, through the apertured base and into the moistened growth medium andwherein the moistened growth medium is capable of sustaining the growthof the germinated seed into a viable seedling.
 14. An apparatusaccording to claim 13 wherein the seedling cup is fabricated frombiodegradable materials so that the entirety of the seedling cup, thegrowth medium, the germination cup, the germination pad and the viableseedling may be planted into soil and wherein the viable seedling cangrow into a mature plant while the seedling cup, germination cup andgermination pad break down into the soil.
 15. An apparatus according toclaim 14 wherein the materials from which the germination pad,germination cup and seedling cup are fabricated permit the germinationpad, germination cup and seedling cup to remain structurally intact whenwet or in contact with water over a time period typical for growing aseed into a viable seedling, but permit the germination pad, germinationcup and seedling cup to structurally break down in soil over a durationof time greater than or equal to half this time period, but less thantwo times this time period.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 12wherein the perimeter of the germination cup rim is sufficiently largeto permit observation of an entirety of the substantially empty region.17. A method for facilitating germination of a seed and growth of aseedling, the method comprising: providing a germination cup shaped todefine a germination cup concavity, the germination cup concavity havingan apertured base and an upper opening defined by a germination cup rimwhich also defines a boundary between the germination cup concavity andan environment external to the germination cup concavity, thegermination cup rim having a perimeter larger than a perimeter of theapertured base; inserting a one-piece germination pad into thegermination cup concavity and abutting the germination pad against theapertured base, the germination pad sized such that inserting thegermination pad into the germination cup concavity and abutting thegermination pad against the apertured based causes the germination padto occupy substantially an entirety of the surface area of the aperturedbase and causes an upper surface of the germination pad to be spacedapart from the germination cup rim to provide a substantially emptyregion within the germination cup concavity that is atop the germinationpad and below the germination cup rim; placing a seed atop the uppersurface of the germination pad and in the substantially empty regionwithin the germination cup concavity; moistening the germination pad byintroducing water to the germination cup concavity, the water absorbedand retained by the germination pad, the germination pad beingsufficiently rigid, when wetted with water, to avoid falling through theapertured base, the wetted germination pad providing the seed withmoisture to promote germination; permitting roots of the germinated seedto extend downwardly, through the germination pad and through theapertured base.
 18. A method according to claim 17 comprising: providinga seedling cup shaped to define a seedling cup concavity; accommodatingthe entire germination cup and the entire germination pad in theseedling cup concavity prior to use thereof for facilitating thegermination of the seed and growth of the seedling; while in use tofacilitate the germination of the seed and growth of the seedling,accommodating moistened growth medium in a lower portion of the seedlingcup concavity and accommodating the germination cup containing thegermination pad and seed in the seedling cup concavity directly atop thegrowth medium; and permitting the roots of the germinated seed to extenddownwardly, through the germination pad, through the apertured base andinto the moistened growth medium, the moistened growth medium capable ofsustaining the growth of the germinated seed into a viable seedling. 19.A method according to claim 18 wherein the germination cup, germinationpad and seedling cup are fabricated from biodegradable materials andwherein the method comprises planting the entirety of the seedling cup,the growth medium, the germination cup, the germination pad and theviable seedling into soil and growing the viable seedling into a matureplant while the seedling cup, germination cup and germination pad breakdown in the soil.
 20. A method according to claim 17 wherein theperimeter of the germination cup rim is sufficiently large to permitobservation of an entirety of the substantially empty region.